WEBVTT

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After a blood specimen has been diluted
as directed

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by manufacturer instructions,
and the vial has been mixed.

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A small amount of specimen is loaded
into the hemostats chamber for counting.

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Materials needed for this process
include Hema cytometer with cover glass,

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diluted specimen
alcohol, and lint free tissues,

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timer, moist chamber, and a microscope

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with ten x and 40 x objectives.

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The chamber is composed of the hemostats
motor and cover glass.

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This cover glass is specific
for the chamber and is optically flat

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to ensure a consistent depth
over the entire counting chamber.

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The center section of the hemostats
emitter has three components

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the platforms, the moat, and the bridges.

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There are two platforms,
one on each side of the chamber.

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As you look closely at the platforms,
you should be able to see a grid on

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each side.

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There is a V shaped groove on

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each side that is used to help load
the specimen into the chamber.

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Around each platform is a moat which
separates each platform from the other.

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Beside
the moat on each side are the bridges.

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These raised sides provide support
for the cover glass and the distance

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between the platforms,
and the covered glass is 0.1mm.

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This space will be filled with the fluid
on which the cell count will be performed.

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Accurate cell counts depend

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on the quality of the equipment
used as well as using proper technique.

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Each platform is etched with a large grid

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measuring three millimeters on each side.

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This large group is subdivided into nine
one millimeter squares,

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each square subdivided into various
additional squares for additional utility.

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The first step

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to correctly loading the hem estimators
to ensure that it is immaculately clean.

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Any debris left can negatively impact
the optical quality

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of the chamber and cause incorrect results
to be obtained.

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The chamber is cleaned using isopropyl
alcohol and lint free tissue.

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The cover glass should always be handled
by its edges.

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To begin loading the chamber.

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The cover glass is placed on the Hema
cytometer, so both sides of

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the chamber are covered equally.

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Next, the diluted specimen is mixed gently
but thoroughly,

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and the first few drops of liquid
are expressed into a tissue

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while maintaining
pressure on the specimen vial.

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The next drop is applied to the V-shaped
groove at the junction of the covered

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glass and chamber.

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Pressure is continuously applied
to the vial, and the pipette is held

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at a 45 degree angle.

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The slight pressure on the vial will work
with the capillary action of the glass

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to properly fill the chamber.

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Watch carefully
and remove the pipette from the chamber

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when it is completely filled,
but not overfilled.

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If fluid flows into the mold,
the chamber is overfilled

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and the chamber will have to be cleaned
in the specimen.

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Reloaded.

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If it will be several minutes
before counting can occur,

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the chamber should be placed
in a moist chamber.

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This can be created by placing a damp
filter paper in an empty Petri plate,

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raised on pieces of wooden
applicator sticks.

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The hem estimator is loud to sit for 1
to 2 minutes

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to allow the cells to settle for counting.

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The chamber is carefully placed
on a microscope for counting.